Donald Lake Memorial Fund

Donald Lake, a resident of Yeovil, was pre-deceased by his wife and when he passed away a few years ago he left his entire estate to charity. Apart from naming a couple of charities he asked the executors to use their judgement to select which other charities to support. The executors, in turn, approached Somerset Community Foundation to invest the proceeds from the estate in our endowment fund make a more strategic and long-term impact by creating the Donald Lake Memorial Fund in 2010.

In the past 3 years we have awarded almost £10,000 of grants to a range of Somerset organisations working with older people. They include Friends in Retirement, Cruse Bereavement Care and Headway Somerset.

Friends in Retirement is a small Yeovil-based group enabling around 15 older people, many with disabilities, to form new friendships and combat loneliness. A small grant from Donald Lake’s fund helped the groups afford guests speakers and stimulating trips.

Continuing the link with Yeovil, we funded Headway Somerset to try a pilot project engaging with patients in Yeovil District Hospital prior to their return home as well as supporting them once they have left hospital. Our grant has helped them stretch their support to an additional 100 people in the past year.

The grant to Cruse Breavement helped them continue a telephone helpline for people who have been affected by bereavement.

Inspiring Philanthropy for Somerset

Somerset Community Foundation has been inspiring community philanthropy since 2002. We currently manage over 84 funds for individuals, companies, trusts and public bodies. Over the last 15 years, we have supported hundreds of local charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises in our county with over £7.5 million of investment. Contact us today to discuss how we can work together to strengthen your community and transform lives throughout Somerset.